2026 Newsletter - Week 2, Term 4 | Smore Newsletters for Education

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Kia ora koutou,

The final term of the year is racing by ... with two short school weeks coming, we will be right into November before we know it. So wonderful to see the students back into their learning this term, and settled in so happily to the school.

It is important that we keep children coming to school over the remaining weeks we have this term. We are undertaking a lot of assessments and monitoring of learning for the children. We also have a lot of support programmes continuing to operate, and we really want full involvement with these. Last year our term 4 had one of the best rates of attendance for GMS since 2020 - let's aim to beat that.

On Tuesday night at the GMS school board meeting, we discussed the survey we had circulated last term about children's images being used on social media. We had sixty responses to these questions - and a majority had been in favour of the board researching this further. As a result, we have given an undertaking to further research options of sharing activities at school, whilst also offering protection against misuse of images. One thing we are looking at is other ways of using HERO to share records of the fun things going on – which don't have access like social media platforms. We will report back on what we have found out.

Congratulations to all the students who had their entries selected to be part of the annual Digi Awards. As with many other years, Greenmeadows School students showed off their skills and creativity in this annual highlight of the calendar.

Enjoy the long weekend ahead - we shall see you all next Wednesday 28th October.

Ngā mihi

Mark Johnson

Principal/Tumuaki

WELCOME TO GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL

We have had a number of new students start with us this term, namely:-

A warm welcome to Lilith Morales-Grant, Emily Lumb, Aleia Harrison, Maddison Pohio, Isabella Ratima, Bonnie Findlay, Carlo McGaffin & Sahith Jayalath.

Our school roll is now 504.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday 23rd October - Hawkes Bay anniversary day - School closed

Monday 26th October - Labour Day - School closed

Tuesday 27th October - Teacher Only Day - School closed

Tuesday 3rd November - School Photos

Wednesday 4th November - GMS Athletics Day

Monday 9th November - Year 5 Camp week

Monday 23rd November - Year 6 camp week

Wednesday 9th December - Year 6 Social

Monday 14th December - School Prizegiving

Tuesday 15th December - Last day of Term 4 - (School finishes at 12pm sharp)

TEACHER ONLY DAY - TUESDAY 27TH OCTOBER - SCHOOL CLOSED

Just another reminder we have a teacher only day on Tuesday 27th October and therefore school will be closed. Enjoy an extra long Labour weekend!!

If you are looking for something for your child to do on Tuesday ... here is something you could think of below:

KOWHAI SWIMMING

Kowhai swimming started today. You can view all the swimming days and what time each class goes on our community calendar on the school website. The children swim at the Green Family Taradale Pool in Ngarimu Cresent. The children are transported by bus.

SUN HATS AT SCHOOL

It has been so good seeing the children with hats on these first two weeks of the term. There looks like a run of hot weather ahead, so we need to be sun smart with the UV readings due in the days ahead. After Labour weekend children are required to wear their wide-brimmed hats every day – otherwise, they play in shaded areas under He Kapua or the 'mud tree'.

We know that the wide-brimmed hats are difficult to wear when playing sports with lots of running. In this case, if children have a wide-brimmed hat at school, they can also bring a cap to wear for practises or games.

SCHOOL PHOTOS - TUESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER

School photos are coming up on Tuesday 3rd November. Keep an eye out in your inbox for an email that will be coming directly from Photolife. In the email you will receive information about sibling photos and after the photos are taken you will receive your keycode for ordering.

DISABILITY CARPARK ON OSIER ROAD

Just a friendly reminder the disability carpark on Osier Road outside the office is for disability card holders only.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2026 & 2027

If you have a child who is going to turn five at any stage this year or next year, and they are going to attend Greenmeadows School, please let us know as soon as possible.

This also applies to any relatives, neighbours or friends you may have who live in our zone and wish for their children to come to our wonderful school.

Even if you think we may already know, there is no harm in telling us (again).

You can either phone the school or email Sara at saraa@gms.school.nz

Many thanks for your help.

HELL PIZZA READING CHALLENGE

Once again we are running the Hell Pizza Challenge. This is open to all students in the school. Collect a sheet from the library, read 7 books from school, home, or a library, fill it in, and return it to the library. A voucher will be given for a free 333 kids' pizza from Hell Pizza. There is no limit on how many wheels a student can earn. Vouchers expire 31st January 2027.

COFFEE FUNDRAISER - GMS BRAND!!! 'FUNDRAISE OVER COFFEE'

Time to stock up the coffee supplies? You can choose between 250g, 500g, or 1kg sized coffee beans or plunger style grounds. The coffee is available in strong, medium, mild or decaffeinated blends.

Sales from the Greenmeadows School coffee will go towards funding sport and athletic related activities/equipment at our school. For a large 1kg bag, which sells for $52.50, the school will receive around $15.00 back.

Ordering is open so head to our purchase page to get your bag delivered tomorrow! Please EITHER scan the QR code or click on the link below to order. Orders will arrive at the school reception office and can be collected or sent home with students. Please select ‘Pick Up’ at checkout for this option. Delivery is also available via the shipping option.